Apparatus for multiple visual effects



Nov. 22, 1932. A. HUDIAKOFF APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE VISUAL EFFECTS Filed001:. 7, 1931 a INVENTOR 4v; ATTORNEY V manipulating mechanism.

Patented Nov. 22, 1932 FICE ,ANDREI I-I'UDIAKOFF, OF NEW YORK, N.

APPARATUS FOR MULTIPLE VISUAILEFFECTS Application filed October '2,1931. Serial No. 567,373.

The present invention relates to an improvement in apparatus formultiple visual effects. One object thereof has been to provide a deviceapplicable to theatre curtains, display apparatus and the like, whichwill permit the presentation of widely varied visual effects arranged insuch amanner that the changes can he made conveniently and effectivelyby simple' mechanism and in full view of the audience without revealingthe In the matter of curtains, back-drops and other like devices used inthe theatre, considerable labor is wasted and unnecessary space isoccupied by reason of the fact that each representation requires aseparate, and separately handled, curtain or drop. 'One object of myinvention, as applied to this par ticular field of use,is to provide acurtain or back-drop which maybe made to present many different visualrepresentations by a simple and readily controlled mounting of the partsin a special relationship and in such a manner that, without revealingthe operating mechanism, the appearance of the curtain or drop may bemade to change in full view of the audience, thus, not only effectingthe shift from one picture or representation to another, but alsoproducing a highly theatrical effect. Obviously, the same principle mayadvantageously be applied to display devices and others for a similarpurpose.

My invention will be better understood by reference to a description ofone embodiment thereof set forth in the following specification and tothe drawing appended thereto and in which Figure 1 is a fragmentaryfront elevation with a base or main pattern exposed;

Figure 2 is a similar view with portions of the base pattern concealedand with portions 7 of a supplementary pattern exposed;

Figure 3 is a similar view showing still further portions of the basepattern covered and further portions of the supplementary portionexposed;

Figure l is a similar view showing the base pattern concealed and thesupplementary pattern fully exposed.

Figures 1a, 2a, 3a and 4a illustrate a modtrating in dotted line arearwardly positioned guide for the supplementary pattern carry- 'ingsheets; r a

Figure 5a a rear view of the construction shown in Figure 5;

Figure 6 a fragmentary view with portions broken away to show moreclearly the overlapping relation of the separate portions making up thesupplementary pattern;

Figure 7 a front view illustrating a variety of shapes or designs forthe lower edges of the members constituting the supplementary patterncarrying'sheets or members, and

Figure 8 a rear view illustrating the supplementary members as indicatedin Figures la to 4a inclusive in their relation to guiding means, at therear of the device. 7

Referring to the' drawing, the-form of my apparatus shown in Figures 1to 6 comprises a front base or unitary design carrying mem -ber 1,provided with rows of slots 2 arranged in staggered relationandacomposite design carrying member made up of a. support 3 upon which ismounted a plurality of supplementary representation or design carryingmembers at, each thereof being hinged to the support 3 at 5 and adaptedto be moved a into and through the respective slots 2 of the unitarymember 1.. In the form of my device illustrated in Figures 1 tot, theseparate or supplementary members 45 are mounted in staggered relation,corresponding to the ar-* rangement of the slots 2, and, as shown moreclearly in Figure 6, the lower or free end of "each member 4 overlapsthe upper or secured end of the next adjacent lower member 4, so that,when the parts are in the p'ositionillus" trated in Figure 4, they willpresent the illusion or appearance of being a continuous unitary member,for the purpose at least, of the design or representation which theycarry.

r of the strips edge of the supplementary member 4 is guided into andthrough the slot 2 by means of a guiding member 6 secured at the rear ofthe base 1 and in guiding relation to the slot 2, that is, in such a waythat, when the lower edge of a member 4 is projected between said memberand the rear surface of the base 1, said lower edge will be guided intoand through the slot 2.

Where the arrangement of the separate members 4 constituting the rear orsupplementary representation member is like that shown in Figures 1a to4a inclusive, a different form of guiding means is required. For thispurpose I provide the arrangement shown in Figure 8 wherein a guidingstrip 7. )referably of a flexible material, has one end secured at 8 andat an angle to the line of the slot into which the guide is intended todirect the end of the member 4. The other end of the flexible guidestrip 7 is secured along the line 8 also at an angle to the slot andsubstantially parallel with the edge 8. The next guiding device to theright is a flexible strip 9 having its left hand end secured to thestrip 7 along the line 10 and having its right hand end secured to therear surface of the member 1 on the line 10. The next stri to the right,namely 11, is arranged in a simi ar manner in relation to strip 9; andthe last one, or that occupying a position at the right hand end of therow, is arranged in a manner similar to that illustrated in connectionwith the strip 7. Thus, where the supplementary design members 4 arearranged as in Figure 1a for example, their lateral edges are separatedby end portions 7, 9 and 11 in such way that, even though the lower edgeportions of the supplementary members may disengage from the slots inthe main or base member 1, the will, when moved downwardly again, reaily re -engage the slots and be guided into and through the same by saidstrips which, by reason of their arrangement, present a wider opening atthe top than at the bottom, or adjacent to the slot 2 through which thesupplementary member 4 is directed.

In Figure 7 I have shown several designs for the lower edge contours ofthe separate members to take the lace of the straight lower edgesillustrate in other figures, although many other different designs orcontours may be effectively used.

Interesting efiects are produced by the interaction of simplegeometrical designs, and

it is contemplated that other effects based upon scenic or otherrepresentations may also be produced in a wide range of variations. Inthe field of display, it will be apparent that devices of this characterare not only capable of carrying various representations which willattract attention, but may be used to present advertising for example inan artistic and unusual manner.

I claim 1. Apparatus for multiple visual effects comprising a unitaryflat design carrying base having a slot, a support arranged in operativeposition at one side of said base, said support and said base beingmounted for relative movement of one in relation to the other, asupplementary design carrying member mounted with one end hinged on saidsupport and with the opposite free end positioned in operative relationto said slot, and a guide effectively positioned between said base andsaid support and secured along one edge of said slot to guide the freeend of the supplementary member into engagement with the slot.

2. Apparatus for multiple visual. effects comprising a unitary flatdesign carrying base having a plurality of slots aligned in end to endrelation, ative position at one side of said base, said support and saidbase being mounted for relative movementof one in relation to the other,a plurality of supplementary design carrying members each mounted withits upper end hinged on said support and its lower end in operativerelation to one of said aligned slots, and flexible guiding meanseffectively positioned between the base and the support and havingportions secured along alower edge of each slot and intermediateportions secured between adjacent slots to guide said supplementarymembers in relation to their respective corresponding slots.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification thisth day of September, 1931.

ANDREI HUDIAKOFF.

a support arranged in oper

